Emergency Medicine Society "Regrets Passage of Emergency Room Non-Acceptance Prevention Bill Opposed by 93%"

“Field Voices Must Be Reflected in Enforcement Regulations”

The Korean Society of Emergency Medicine (hereinafter referred to as "the Society") issued a statement on October 1, saying, "We feel a deep sense of helplessness and anger at the passage of a bill that on-site emergency medical personnel have opposed for the past five years, and which 93% opposed in the survey." The Society pointed out that, while the authorities have failed to respond to measures requested by the emergency medical field for the past 20 years, they have instead pushed through policies that are opposed by those on the front lines.

A patient is being transported near a regional emergency medical center of a large hospital in downtown Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News.

The Society particularly criticized the bill for failing to sufficiently consider the realities faced by emergency medical professionals. While none of the measures requested by the field over the past 20 years have been reflected, policies opposed by front-line staff are being implemented.

The Society demanded that voices from the field be reflected in the process of preparing enforcement regulations and guidelines during the remaining six months before the bill comes into effect. "We hope the authorities will once again deeply reconsider these issues," the Society said, adding, "We are ready to engage in discussions and offer cooperation at any time."

The Society also raised the need to protect medical professionals, noting that investigations and punishments against them have recently continued in the emergency medical field. Referring to the case on the previous day in which the South Gyeonggi Provincial Police Agency executed a search and seizure at a pediatric emergency room in Suwon, the Society argued, "Expecting high-quality, principled medical care under a reality where medical professionals are treated like criminals is utterly unreasonable."

Furthermore, since the government has announced that the state will take responsibility for the entire process from patient transport to final treatment, the Society emphasized that the relevant authorities must also be held accountable for any consequences of implementing the bill. "The responsibility for these matters must never be shifted onto specialists on the front lines," they stated.

The Society continued, "The government must clearly explain the substance of the emergency medical reform it seeks and obtain the consent of the people," urging a shift in legislation and policy toward a direction that considers both patient care and the protection of medical professionals.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.